Los Angeles, Cooper Family, internal party.
This time, not only friends and family from the entertainment industry were invited, but also the senior executives from the three Silicon Valley companies.
Previously, gatherings were held separately, but it was too troublesome. Strictly speaking, Facebook, YouTube, and Lionheart Network all had close ties with actors and directors, so it was better to put them together.
In the study, Fitz Heisenburg was reporting to Eric.
"Boss, I should have reported to you earlier, but in the first month of launching the GG business, there were indeed many immature aspects."
"We encountered many problems, including payment, statistics, splitting, and contracts. Of course, these are not excuses; I should have considered things more thoroughly. My apologies!"
Eric wasn't too concerned; he understood the principle that everything is difficult at the beginning.
Among the three companies, Facebook had always been at the forefront, with YouTube and Lionheart Network following the experience Facebook had explored.
Fitz Heisenburg had always undertaken the heaviest tasks, and such a capable subordinate should not be overly criticized.
Eric patted his shoulder and comforted him, saying, "Don't mention these things. Just make sure they don't happen again."
"I guarantee they won't! Regarding the GG revenue for the first month, it's a surprising figure: 353 million US dollars."
"After deducting the bloggers' share and other costs, the net profit is 161 million US dollars."
Hearing this figure, Eric couldn't help but smile. It was much better than he had expected; he had thought 100 million US dollars would be good enough.
After all, GG merchants also need to test the waters first; it's impossible for them to go all-in right away.
"How's the feedback? From users, bloggers, and our benefactors."
"The GG merchants' feedback is very good; they also highly approve of our charging model. In our survey, the vast majority are willing to add more fees, and Facebook's profits will grow higher and higher."
"The bloggers' feedback is also very good; they've earned real money. Some even earned over 100,000 US dollars in a single month, which is almost impossible with a regular job."
"Only some users have opinions, believing that we are no longer 'pure,' and new users attracted from MySpace say that Facebook's features are too simplistic and hope for more interesting uses to be developed."
Eric sneered, "Pure? Does that mean you want us to keep operating at a loss? Ignore them!"
"However, interesting ways to play can be considered. How's Facebook's update frequency recently?"
"It can't be compared to before, Boss. You know, creativity and inspiration take time."
"Hmm, I understand, but don't slack off."
"Also, Fitz, do you know how to develop games? Small web-based games that our users can play to better pass the time in their leisure."
Fitz thought for a moment: "Regarding games, some people on the team have done it before, but we are not professionals."
"You don't need to be too professional. I'm not asking you to make Diablo 2; casual but fun is enough."
Hearing this, Fitz scratched his head. He wanted to say that his boss's request was too abstract.
Especially the word 'fun'—it's not only abstract but also difficult. This thing is subjective. What if I find it fun, but users find it boring?
Seeing his silence, Eric gave an example: "Have you seen the walking dead?"
"Yeah! We're all watching it. Season 2 is so exciting; everyone hopes to see Season 3 soon. Boss, did the Governor die?"
"Hold on! Never mind whether the Governor died or not, just make a small zombie-fighting game, Plants vs. Zombies."
"Huh?"
Eric described it in detail to him, and Fitz left with a head full of questions: "Plants and zombies? Can this thing become popular?"
Looking at the development two decades later, Facebook has fallen behind Tencent. The reason is that Tencent created its own ecosystem, no longer limited to social attributes, so enriching its features is inevitable.
The successful expansion of the GG business has further strengthened Eric's resources.
This is only one country, the United States. Once business in Canada, Mexico, and Europe also opens up, money will truly rain down.
And it will also be enough to prove to the market that Facebook is a very high-quality company, ready to go public.
Eric's ideal IPO time is the first half of next year. As his wholly-owned company, Facebook's listing will inevitably cause his assets to grow geometrically.
It is expected that by then he will be qualified to contend with Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Those two old-timers are number one and two on the Forbes list, respectively.
However, with triumph comes disappointment. In the MGM office, looking at the report in his hand, Eric sighed helplessly.
It's been a month, and this is destined to be a war without winners.
harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban, after continuous huge declines, did not break 200 million at the North America box office, stalling at 185 million US dollars.
the hunger games, although a latecomer, caught up, but only earned 197 million US dollars, also failing to break 200 million.
van helsing was even worse; let alone 200 million, it's only over 80 million now, and at most it will just barely break 100 million before it finishes its run.
During this period, movies like Kill Bill: Vol. 1 2, One Last Shot, and Memories of Murder were released one after another, with Angelina Jolie, Ethan Hawke, Kim Basinger, and other handsome men and beautiful women forming a group to attack.
The Big Six seemed to suddenly go mad, constantly deploying troops and intensifying their sniping.
Eric was also enraged by this. Retreating was not an option, so he also played his cards, including barbershop 2, sharknado 3, and machete.
The sharknado series traditionally would be released during the Christmas season, but this year's Christmas season is also a bloodbath.
Inception will face the onslaught of blockbusters like the incredibles, cinderella man, and Spider-Man 2, leaving not much room for other films to survive.
Looking at it this way, there's no difference between releasing in December and releasing in November.
Damn it, let's go. Whatever happens, happens. Anyway, no one is getting out alive!
The current film and television market can only be described as chaotic. Competition has become more intense, falling into a free-for-all.
Hollywood is also the world's film and television center, and the chaos here will turn the global film and television industry upside down.
Not to mention the small companies trembling, not knowing what to do; even the audience is almost bewildered.
Too many movies are being released simultaneously, but audiences' pockets are limited, so they can only make choices.
Globally, the hunger games and harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban are far ahead of other films, almost reaching the 400 million US dollar mark.
However, neither professional institutions nor analysts within MGM believe there is much room for further growth.
Most likely, it will peak just over 500 million US dollars, which is a significant difference from Eric's projected 600 or even 700 million.
This is the consequence of vicious competition, but what can be done? Unless one side bows its head in defeat, this battle will not stop.
But it's not all bad news. The analysis report handed over by Carol indicated that Paramount might not be able to hold on.
Since the two sides revealed their hands, Paramount has charged alongside Disney and Warner Bros., but what kind of financial depth do they have? And what kind of family fortune do you have?
In recent years, apart from Mission: Impossible, they haven't been able to produce any works that capture the public's attention.
Moreover, participating in high-intensity warfare means that films that could have made a big profit now only make a small profit, films that would have made a small profit now break even, films that would have broken even now lose money, and films that would have lost money now have to pawn their assets.
Paramount has released a total of 11 films so far this year; 9 lost money, and only 2 made a small profit. Its performance is much worse than that of second-tier companies like Lionsgate, New Line Cinema, and Dimension Films.
It's only because Disney loaned it a sum of money; otherwise, it would look even worse.
"Six months ago, I contacted Paramount, hoping they would remain neutral, but they refused."
"Now, contact them again and sound them out. Given Paramount's continuously falling stock price, I want to see how tough Brad Grey really is."
Carol nodded: "As long as Paramount can't hold on and remains neutral, once the door is open, Universal and Fox might also have ideas."
"Hmm, the key is to have a leader."
"Boss, the end of the year is approaching. I have a feeling that the Christmas season will be the final battlefield."
"Why do you say that?"
Eric walked over and directly looked at Carol's ample bosom. Anyway, this seductive woman's intention to tempt him was already obvious.
Even though it was winter, she would change into light clothing at the office. Her work uniform was specially altered, noticeably tighter.
He had no intention of sleeping with her, but teasing her was quite amusing.
Noticing her boss looking at her, Carol actively pushed her chest up, pleasing her boss's eyes. Although it wasn't written in her contract, she considered it part of her job responsibilities.
"After the Christmas season, next year's financial reports will be released soon. Everyone's stock prices aren't looking too good right now. Although some are growing, growth that doesn't meet expectations is a failure."
"Failure will further dampen shareholder confidence. From the perspective of a normal investor, if this war is to continue, I would definitely withdraw."
"Why wouldn't I invest my money in more profitable industries?"
"The war in the Middle East is still ongoing. Wouldn't it be better for me to invest in steel, textiles, or pharmaceuticals?"
"Previously, film companies could tell good stories, and good stories brought high profits. But if this continues, good stories will only bring meager profits."
Eric smiled: "You make a lot of sense. However, personally, I only hope the scope of the war shrinks, but I don't wish for it to disappear."
"Paramount, I feel nothing for it. If it wants to quit, let it quit."
"Whether it's Universal, Sony, or Fox, I actually hope these three also withdraw."
"But that's enough. As for Warner Bros. and Disney, I actually hope those two go all out and fight MGM, preferably until the seas run dry and the rocks crumble."
"Even if those two want to make peace, I wouldn't agree. Dealing with six at once is indeed unrealistic, but one or two is no problem for me."
Carol frowned, then suddenly realized something.
"Boss, you want to drag down Warner Bros. and Disney. How did I not think of that?"
"As long as they collapse, MGM will be the undisputed largest film and television company in the world. We will reclaim our status from the last century."
Eric said nothing. Vision and perspective are not something everyone possesses, or rather, they require long-term cultivation.
Carol could only think this far, and only dared to think this far, not knowing that Eric's ultimate goal was to swallow Warner Bros. and Mickey Mouse.
"Anyway, go ahead and convey my message. If Brad Grey is willing, we can meet privately."
"Okay, I understand."
That evening, Eric and Daddario secretly snuck into a cinema to watch machete Kills.
This film was a genuine B-movie, a chaotic mishmash of various elements, primarily focusing on being illogical but entertaining.
There were many big-name cameos in the film, like Theron, who played a transgender female assassin.
She appeared for only a few minutes, then ripped off her skin mask to reveal Ryan Reynolds.
Will Smith was an unlucky guy who died right after appearing, and Johnny Depp played a sissy whose 'basket' was shot off.
The final boss battle even involved clinging to a rocket and fighting in space, haphazardly turning into Star Wars, and falling from tens of thousands of feet without a scratch, which was just absurd.
The film's promotion directly pitted it against sharknado, declaring, "I'm not pretending anymore; I'm coming clean. I'm bad, but I'm bad with style."
Anyway, Eric and Daddario found it very entertaining, and the other people in the cinema were also laughing heartily.
Being able to see so many big stars making fun of themselves was enough to make them happy.
After the movie, Eric drove Daddario home.
Unbeknownst to them, he had been with the husky girl for over two months, and their relationship had reached a critical point.
She was a very smart girl who never proactively made demands.
Movie resources were one thing, but girls always liked jewelry, accessories, perfume, and bags, yet Daddario never mentioned them.
Even when they occasionally went shopping, she wouldn't drag Eric into stores, which made him feel a bit awkward. So today, he specifically bought her a diamond necklace.
"Baby, let me put it on you."
"Darling, thank you. You're so good to me!"
She gave him a kiss, and Daddario naturally fell into Eric's arms.
He carried her to the mirror: "Look, it's beautiful, do you like it?"
"Hmm, I like anything you give me. Actually, the gift isn't important; I'd rather you spend more time with me."
Eric gently bit her earlobe: "I will. Soon we'll have several months together."
"Darling, are you planning to start filming? Are you going to shoot Dragon Ball?"
"Hmm, you've been training for over a month, that's enough. Dragon Ball isn't Fist of the North Star; the key is still the special effects."
"By the way, how are you getting along with the crew?"
"Very well. Everyone is very friendly. Krysten Liu and I have the best relationship, after all, we're the only two main female characters."
Eric nodded, thinking, 'It's best if you two get along well and become sisters from different fathers, mothers, and skin colors. Then it'll be even more natural to sleep in the same bed later.'